Zwei Studierende stehen im Stiegenhaus des Teaching Centers

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 2

Option A

Semester: 3

Hours/week: 4

ECTS: 10

Lecturers: Barbara Haas, Astrid Pennerstorfer

Language: English

Learning Objectives: This course is continuation of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 1. Together both courses aim at providing students with knowledge of different research techniques.

This part focuses students’ research projects. Qualitative methods are chosen so as to prepare students to conduct research in the area of demographic studies, environmental research, social policy and regional development. In parallel, students work on a quantitative research project, using large data sets and applying regression-based methods.

After completion of this course, students will have the basic knowledge of:

  • Econometric techniques: regression analysis, discrete and continuous models

  • Multi-level methods

  • Qualitative interviews

  • Multicriteria appraisal and participatory methods

  • Mixed methods research strategies

Option B

Semester: 3

Hours/week: 4

ECTS: 10

Lecturers: Barbara Haas, Manuel Scholz-Wäckerle

Language: English

Learning Objectives: This course is continuation of Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 1. After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • develop or deepen a research question (based on the state of the art and on theories)

  • specify a mixed methods research strategy in more depth (empirical design) 

  • design an agent-based model appropriate to the research question

  • to analyse, interpret and try to link the varying results from quantitative and qualitative methods

  • to present research results (including a quality assessment)

  • to write a research report

Students are expected to:

  • prepare the literature for discussions in class

  • actively participate in discussions and assignments in class

  • submit a research design

  • to focus on a research question with bottom-up modelling and simulation techniques

  • to use Netlogo for modelling and simulation

  • to analyse and interpret computaionally generated data

  • to submit a research report